Saturday 25th August 2012 - Open Day

Not to be thwarted by the impending gloomy weather prediction, preparation for the Open Day was well under way on the Friday. Come Saturday morning , as predicted the weather was not looking good. A wet westerly wind on a already soggy airfield did not bode well for flying.

This did not deter a large number of visitors spending the day with us and taking up the offer of reduced price flights to be flown another day.

Static Displays included club aircraft

And an impressive array of model aircraft

Bob Pirie took the first flight with Sean Parramore taking the second, pulling off at 400 feet as he reached cloud base. So, flying suspended we concentrated on what was happening around the Club House.

The Deputy Mayor of West Devon Borough Council. Councillor William Cann OBE and his wife, Mrs Christine Cann arrived and was greeted by Club Secretary Sandra Buttery and Committee Member Martin Smith who gave them an informative tour of the Club.

Would-be pilots of all ages tried their hand at flying the simulators at the gliding club open day. Here Freddie Fricker (10) prepares for take-off, supervised by Nigel Williamson (right) who built the machine. Looking on are Councillor William Cann and Mrs Christine Cann (left), with Sandra Buttery, Dartmoor Gliding Society secretary and organiser of the open day.

Inside the Club House it was warm and cheerful with stalls, simulator flying, refreshments, competitions and lots of gliding information. In the hangar we welcomed the Tavistock Modellers Club with a fascinating line up of model fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and of course, a motor glider. Nigel Williamson set up his K6 simulator and on show was the stripped ex Perranporth K13 giving a fascinating insight to how a wooden glider is built.

Meanwhile Draw ticket sales and Flight sales were in full swing before we all walked up to he airfield to watch the Sea King helicopter from RMB Chivenor do a spectacular flypast. Unfortunately, as the cloudbase did not move higher than 400 feet, the Spitfire was unable to attend. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight were most apologetic and promised to attend another time.

RAF Sea King from 22 Squadron Chivenor 

Everyone came back to the Club House where the Draw took place with Club Member Mike Keller winning first prize – a flight in a motor glider with Ian Mitchell. “This will help towards my Bronze cross country endorsement” he said, with a smile.

Lots of visitors stayed for another cup of tea before journeying home, saying they had a very pleasant day while Members put the gliders away in the hangar. A few members stayed for a beer and to reflect on the days' events.

All in all, a successful day despite the good old Dartmoor weather.

Sandra Buttery